Articles By Kara Murphy

11. Williams-Sonoma Finds Strength In Online, Catalog Sales 2/21/2014

    Williams-Sonoma is poised to have an exceptional year.  Retailers offering products for the home should reap the benefits of a rising economy and housing market, explains Marshall Hargrave for The Motley Fool. Among these retailers, Williams-Sonoma is well positioned, with growth in both its e-commerce and brick-and-mortar business, to engage customers across channels.  

12. Radio Shack Rebrand Includes Efforts To Reach Millennials 2/13/2014

    Popular Super Bowl ads just a first step in attracting a new generation.

13. Retailers Face Big Challenge Securing POS Systems 2/10/2014

    The malware that infected Target was a simple program and others are out there, experts warn. Retailers face a huge challenge in securing customer data from malware that collects credit card data and information directly from point of sale (POS) devices. Experts believe the recent high-profile security breaches at Target, Neiman Marcus, and Michaels are just the tip of an immense issue that will continue to plague retailers.

14. Sports Authority's New CEO Outlines Past Issues, Plans For Future Success 2/7/2014

    Assuming the role of CEO in 2013, former Petco exec Michael Foss believes the company can always be better. Despite cementing itself a position in the top 100 retailers, Sports Authority still has plenty of room for improvement. At least that’s what its new CEO Michael Foss said in a recent interview.

15. A Look At Consumer Trends Influencing The Omni-Channel Retail Experience 2/5/2014

    Customer data analysis can be used in a myriad of ways to make shopping experience better for customers. Merchandising and marketing are vital to successful modern retailing. Customer data analysis lies at the heart of making those decisions precise.  By using technology and software, retailers can understand each step a consumer takes on the path to a purchase.  Retailers can use collected data to make decisions about everything from crafting personalized offers to purchase decisions on sizes and colors.

16. IKEA's Strategy For Growth Proves Effective 1/31/2014

    Visits to ikea.com increased by about 20 percent in fiscal year 2013 and visits to its famous superstores were slightly down. Even so, IKEA’s officials expect its brick-and-mortar stores to remain the cornerstone of the company’s ambitious growth plan, which calls for reaching sales of $68.4 billion by 2020. Fiscal year 2013 saw sales of $38.6 billion, a 3.2 percent increase over the previous year.

17. DOD Looks To Trim Defense Commissary Agency Budget 1/31/2014

    Cuts as deep as $1 billion from the DOD are under consideration, the American Legion says. The Department of Defense (DOD) is looking to save money, and the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) might find itself in the clearance aisle.The DOD is looking at a scenario in which $1 billion could be cut from U.S. military grocery stores over the next three years. That means that all but a handful of the 250 stores would close. The stores, open only to service members, charge an average of 30.5 percent less than prices at commercial supermarkets, club stores, drug stores, dollar stores, and discount department stores. Authorized customers purchase items at cost plus only a 5percent surcharge.

18. Retention Predictor Identifies Employees Who Are “Flight Risks” 1/31/2014

    An Ultimate Software tool gives employers insight into employee performance and intentions. Some retailers are now using software that gives human resources professionals and managers the ability to forecast an employee’s intent to remain with an organization and identify employees who need development. The insight-driven tool called the UltiPro Retention Predictor was developed by Ultimate Software.

19. PetSmart Creates Four New Executive Vice President Positions 1/30/2014

    Changes come to PetSmart as part of structural changes after retirement of its president and COO. PetSmart is creating a new position, the “executive vice president of customer experience, strategic planning and corporate development,” as it continues to focus on developing growth strategies across its platforms.The marketing, strategic planning and corporate development departments will report to the new executive vice president. The company is undertaking an external search to fill the new role.

20. Analysts Wary Of Roundy's Decision To Purchase 11 Safeway Stores In Chicago 1/27/2014

    Safeway and Supervalu failed to flourish in the Chicago market, so stock analysts are undecided about the decision by Roundy’s to purchase 11 Safeway stores in metro Chicago. Roundy’s paid $36 million for the Chicago stores, which operated under the name Dominick’s. The stores will re-open under the Roundy’s banner of Mariano’s, with the first scheduled to open Feb. 18.